Armenian look at Bulgarian Plovdiv: a photo exhibition dedicated to  the Capital of European Culture 2019 was held in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Every year since  1985, cities in Europe, according to the initiative of the European  Union, receive the title of the capital of European culture.

For the  first time, the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv was awarded this status for  2019. On the threshold of such an important year, during which a  number of cultural events are expected to take place, the Bulgarian  Embassy in Armenia took the initiative to hold a photo report about  Plovdiv, for which a preliminary casting was held among Armenian  photographers. The right to hold a photo session in the future  capital of European culture was Raffi Yurejyan.

Yurejyan's works dedicated to Plovdiv were exhibited at Yerevan State  University, due to which the residents of Armenia had the opportunity  to get acquainted with the ancient Bulgarian city, which has a rich  cultural heritage. In an interview with ArmInfo, the Ambassador  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Armenia, Ms. Maria  Pavlova Tsosorkova-Kaymaktchieva, said: "For the first time, the  Bulgarian city receives a similar title, and for us it is a great  honor. The initiative of the European Union is a kind of way to bring  the cultures of European nations closer, to find common values, which  is extremely important. Taking into account that preparations are  currently under way, we decided to send a young Armenian photographer  to Plovdiv, and as a result we have the opportunity to see wonderful  works, some of which reflect, in particular, the Armenian cultural  heritage in Bulgaria. "

On this point, the Ambassador stressed that the Armenian community of  Plovdiv makes a significant contribution to the cultural and economic  development of the city and the country as a whole. "A feature of  Plovdiv is precisely the diversity of its cultural heritage. For  centuries in Plovdiv, representatives of many nations and  nationalities live together in peace and harmony. And in this regard,  the city serves as a good example of how cultural diversity can be a  symbol of unity, and not disunity. This is the city where the past  meets the present and the future, "she said.

In an interview with ArmInfo, photographer Raffi Yurejyan said that  he was glad to receive such an invitation from the Bulgarian embassy.  "I stayed in Plovdiv for almost 20 days. Before starting work, I met  its inhabitants, because the city is better understood and felt when  you understand the originality of its inhabitants, "he said. The  photographer stressed that he was very impressed with old Plovdiv,  where ancient monuments of architecture are preserved. In each of his  photographs, Yurejyan wanted to put the spirit of the whole city,  inscribe in it all of his emotions, which he felt during his journey.  Noting that the trip to Plovdiv was quite an interesting experience,  the photographer also told about pleasant impressions after meeting  with the Armenian community. "I am always glad when I see that the  Armenian Diaspora honors its traditions and culture. Plovdiv made no  exception. I was lucky to meet and capture the historical and  cultural heritage of the Armenian community of the city, "he said. In  conclusion, Yurejyan added that he would definitely visit the capital  of European culture once again.

To note, EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotrr Switalski, RA Deputy  Minister of Culture Tigran Galstyan, rector of Yerevan State  University Aram Simonyan, representatives of diplomatic missions in  Armenia and other guests also visited the photo exhibition of Raffi  Yurejyan dedicated to Plovdiv. Plovdiv is the second largest city in  Bulgaria, which is located on seven hills. Together with Sofia and  Varna, it is among the three largest Bulgarian cities, whose real  population exceeds 400,000 inhabitants.